Like all others who enjoy the sport, I get asked, “What [the —-] is Underwater Hockey?” or, “Is that really a sport, or are you making this up?”  Granted, I do like to spin tall tales, but underwater hockey is a serious sport, and I love playing this game!

Underwater hockey is a very fast moving game that is played on the bottom of a swimming pool.  Two teams of six players score points by knocking a 3 pound puck into the opposing team’s goals.  Each player uses a uniquely designed stick to handle the puck.  All players wear a mask, pair of fins, snorkel, protective glove and headgear.

Practice games and most tournament games are played co-ed.  Because the water nullifies pure mass advantages, neither men nor women hold an unfair advantage over the other.  Advantaged players have good swimming, breatholding, and puck handling skills – none are gender based.

Tournament games are played with two 15 minute halves with a four minute half time.  Each team can have up to 4 substitutes on the side who can enter play on the fly.

Links:

My Team – Minnesota Loons:  http://mnuwh.com/

USA Underwater Hockey: www.usauwh.com

USA UWH promo video from USA UnderwaterHockey on Vimeo.